CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46) - The search for a shoplifting suspect caused part of Interstate 77 in Charlotte to close Thursday night, police said.

Charlotte Mecklenburg police say they were searching for an armed suspect who had been shoplifting at Northlake Mall and assaulted multiple people.

After further investigation, it was determined that there were two suspects that were together in Macy's at Northlake Mall. Loss prevention officers detained one for shoplifting and a struggle ensued. The other suspect assaulted loss prevention to free his friend, police said.

The suspect that was orginally detained was able to run from the scene and was not located. The other suspect continued to assault loss prevention officers and then ran from the mall, police said.

Officers believed the suspect was armed, but no weapon was ever seen.

Air and K-9 unites were called and police eventually arrested the suspect in nearby woods. He has been identifed as 18-year-old Darvon Fletcher.

The I-77 ramp onto Harris Boulevard was closed due to the police activity in the area. It has since been reopened.